Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. Our aquarium forum welcomes aquarists of all levels from beginners to experts. Please ask a question in the how to section of our forum or read the FAQ section if you have any questions. register to and become a part of our friendly aquarium forum community today.

I haven't been because ammonia hasn't ever gone above 0.25 ppm and I've been told doing water changes will slow down cycling. I've also added live plants now as I'm preparing for the final stock I want in my tank.

The same thing happened when I cycled with fish - my ammonia never went above .25 - took over 2 months to cycle - with 5 goldfish (which I didn't keep - this was before I knew about this forum & learned better).

Even after you add the plants though, I wouldn't add anymore fish until your parameters show you are cycled - ammonia will be at 0, nitrites at 0 and you should have a small reading for nitrates.

I have been checking nitrites and nitrates and they have stayed at zero. I have added more fish and live plants to the tank in hopes of being able to start to get some nitrites in the tank. What is needed to properly care for the live plants? I have never kept them before and was not given any information when I bought them. I am not planning on adding or changing anything more in the tank until it is cycled just like everyone here as suggested. Thanks to everybody being so helpful I've been struggling trying to know what to do (fish stores all stay something different).

I cycled my 29 gallon tank with 14 glowlights. I think in all that water you will need to add some more fish or will have a very low bioload when it does finally get cycled. Don't let that ammonia get over .25. I'm actually surprised you got it that high with only 6 of those small fish.

I have been keeping an eye on ammonia and will do the water changes when/if it gets above .25. I had been overfeeding the tank with the 6 of the glowlights and am hoping adding the 4 platy's will help.

if by platys you mean plecostemus (spelling) be advised that while they get rid of the algae and excess food in your tanks, they are, in polite terms...Poop factories. Platy's can get quite big depending on which ones you purchased for your tanks.

Good luck with your tank and keep up with those water changes like you are planning to. Also keep track of your nitrates and nitrites as well...any nitrite can be deadly to your stock, and most fish can't handle nitrates over 20.

I have been keeping an eye on ammonia and will do the water changes when/if it gets above .25. I had been overfeeding the tank with the 6 of the glowlights and am hoping adding the 4 platy's will help.

You still need to do at least a weekly water change even if the ammonia doesn't get over .25ppm. There are other reasons to do water changes besides keeping ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels down. There are trace minerals that need to be replenished with fresh water, and other things like hormones he fish secrete that need to be removed.

Originally Posted by Shidohari

if by platys you mean plecostemus

When I go fishing I just throw sharp rocks in the water and wait for the dead fish to float to the top... KingfisherEverything happens for a reason. Sometimes that reason is you are stupid and make bad decisions. I think my fish is adjusting well to the four gallon, He's laying on his side attempting to go to sleep on the bottom of the gravel.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Dear naps, sorry I hated you so much when I was a child... Love me

if by platys you mean plecostemus (spelling) be advised that while they get rid of the algae and excess food in your tanks, they are, in polite terms...Poop factories. Platy's can get quite big depending on which ones you purchased for your tanks.

Platy:

plecostomus:

Liters to Gallons conversion calculator
"Keeping fish for any period of time doesn't make you experienced if you're doing it wrong. What does, is acknowledging those mistakes and learning from them." ~Aeonflame
"your argument is invalid." ~Mommy1

Thanks for ALL your help guys. I've finally got 5 ppm of nitrates. Planning on doing a major water change and tank cleaning at some point this weekend. Any idea how to get pH down below 7?? That's my next struggle.